First, let me thank those of you who responded to my call
for information
regarding library website collection guidelines. I thought
it might be
useful to publish a quick summary of responses.
Approximately 10 librarians
responded to my call for information, including four from
this list.
Content Creation:
* Most libraries do not have formal guidelines for creating
website
content.
* Content is usually created based on user need and/or
interest; e.g.,
information about natural disasters, political information,
tax
information, or local events that will generate heightened
patron interest.
* One library replied that their impetus for creating
content comes from
the communication needs of the different departments or
divisions within
the library
* One library replied that their content is organized into
specific site
sections, and each section is governed by an individual
content plan that
determines in scope/out of scope content.
* One library publishes their website collection guidelines
on their public
website as part of their general collection development
guidelines.
Weeding Content:
* Few libraries have a formal process in place for weeding
content.
* One library responded that following an upcoming revamp,
they will use a
combination of site analytics, user need, and usability
studies to
determine how long content remains on their site.
* One library responded that they never weed website
content.
* Of those that monitor page hits, one library responded
that they
currently monitor hits on a monthly basis. Content (i.e.,
subject guides)
is then revised/deleted/added as indicated by use,
timeliness, revelancy
and accuracy.
* Most respondents stated that they do occasionally review
website content,
but the review times vary from monthly to once or twice a
year.
Cecily Walker
Auxiliary Librarian
Vancouver Public Library
cecilwal vpl.ca
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